Cignal-Ateneo delivered a masterful second half and bucked a slight rain delay to pull off a 67-52 Game 3 victory over Centro Escolar University Thursday in the 2019 PBA D-League Finals at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Ange Kouame stood at the forefront of the Blue Eagles’ defensive stand, racking up 10 points, nine blocks, and seven rebounds to help his side move a win away from the title.
Thirdy Ravena fired 12 points and had eight rebounds to spearhead Cignal-Ateneo, as Mike Nieto and Adrian Wong got nine points apiece.
“We went a little bit away from our defensive system last game and we wanted to get that back today,” said coach Sandy Arespacochaga.
Cignal-Ateneo’s defense was on point the entire game, holding CEU to just 26-percent shooting from the field.
The game was also halted for 25 minutes at the 8:18 mark of the fourth after rain seeped through the roof and onto the floor.
Still, that wasn’t enough to stop the deluge as the Blue Eagles staged a 16-2 tear in the fourth quarter to extend their 49-37 lead to a comfortable 65-39 advantage.
Cignal-Ateneo can close out the best-of-five series on Tuesday’s Game 4 in the same venue.
Isaac Go was also honored with the Conference MVP award earlier in the day after averaging 9.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
Senegalese big man Maodo Malick Diouf anchored the Scorpions with 19 points and 20 rebounds in the defeat.
The Scores:
CIGNAL-ATENEO 67—Ravena 12, Kouame 10, Mi. Nieto 9, Ma. Nieto 8, Andrade 5, Go 5, Daves 5, Navarro 4, Belangel 0, Tio 0, Credo 0, Mamuyac 0.
CEU 52—Diouf 19, Bernabe 9, Guinitaran 8, Sunga 7, Santos 5, Diaz 4, Abastillas 0.
Quarters: 17-13, 32-27, 49-37, 67-52.